Delhi's air pollution is a complex issue, with multiple sources including burning from power plants, landfills, and individual fires. Experts cite difficulties in collecting accurate data due to erroneous official numbers and uncounted small sources.
Exposure to air pollution at school is linked to a higher risk of childhood obesity and overweight. The study found that children exposed to medium or high levels of air pollution had a higher risk of obesity and overweight compared to those with lower exposure.
A nationwide study found that counties with dirtier air had higher rates of stroke deaths and shorter life expectancies. The study analyzed health data and pollution monitoring information from 1,561 counties across the US, revealing a significant association between PM2.5 pollution levels and increased risk of stroke.
The UK Government has committed £19.6 million to a research project addressing nitrogen pollution in South Asia, with potential solutions for sustainable agriculture and industrial recycling. The project aims to form a coherent picture of the nitrogen cycle and support progress towards meeting United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Researchers discovered a link between air quality and happiness in Chinese cities, finding that higher pollution levels are associated with decreased happiness. Women and those on higher incomes were found to be more sensitive to pollution's impact.
A study of air pollution and respiratory emergency room visits found associations between ozone, fine particulate pollution, and increased ER visits for asthma, COPD, and pneumonia, varying by age group and pollutant level. The study suggests that protecting vulnerable populations from air pollution is crucial.
A study found that roadsides with only hedges were the most effective at reducing pollution exposure, cutting black carbon and ultrafine particles. The researchers suggest planting denser hedges or a combination of trees with hedges in open-road environments to improve air quality.
Researchers found that a reduction in PM 2.5 concentrations in eastern China has led to an increase in ground-level ozone pollution, particularly in large cities. The study suggests that extra efforts are needed to reduce NOx and VOC emissions to stem the tide of ozone pollution.
A comprehensive review of air pollution effects in children reveals adverse birth outcomes, cognitive and behavioral problems, asthma incidence, and potentially childhood cancer. The study estimates that over 40% of environmental disease burden is borne by children under five.
A new report by IIASA researchers reveals that climate change is causing millions of premature deaths globally due to air pollution, with older people in Europe and the East Mediterranean being particularly vulnerable to heatwaves. The study also finds that phasing out coal-use can significantly reduce pollution-related deaths.
Research suggests that reducing nitrogen dioxide pollution in Copenhagen could increase average lifespan by an entire year and lead to improved quality of life. The study found that by 2040, the number of men suffering from cardiovascular diseases could be reduced by 680 per 100,000 men.
A study of nearly all births in Vancouver found that air pollution exposure, particularly nitric oxide, was associated with an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder. The findings suggest environmental contaminants and air pollution may be potential risk factors for ASD.
Despite improvements in air quality, the study found little impact on child lung health, with reduced lung function and asthma symptoms observed. Children still live in highly polluted areas, posing lifelong health risks, emphasizing the need for further action to tackle high levels of air pollution.
A study of 2,000 children suggests that London's diesel-dominated air pollution is restricting lung capacity, putting them at risk of lifelong breathing disorders. Despite improvements in air quality through the introduction of Low Emission Zones, there was no evidence of a reduction in small lungs or asthma symptoms.
A Monash University study found a strong link between air pollution and the development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children. Exposure to fine particles (PM2.5) from vehicle exhausts, industrial emissions, and other sources increased the risk of ASD by up to 78%. The study adds to previous research on prenatal air pollution ex...
A comprehensive study by the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute found that air pollution and transportation noise significantly increase the risk of heart attacks. The study reveals that considering both factors together reduces the estimated effect of air pollution on cardiovascular health.
A recent study found that US air pollution deaths decreased by 47% between 1990 and 2010, resulting in nearly 135,000 fewer deaths. The improvement coincided with increased federal air quality regulations.
Research from Harvard suggests that reducing formaldehyde emissions could be more effective at reducing extreme wintertime haze than focusing solely on sulfur dioxide. Formaldehyde is formed by the reaction of SO2 with formaldehyde in clouds or fog droplets, and its sources are primarily vehicles and industrial facilities.
A study by the University of Leeds reveals a 20% decrease in particulate pollution concentrations across China between 2015 and 2017. Concentrations of fine particulates fell by 7.2% per year, while those of sulphur dioxide decreased by 10.3%. However, ozone concentrations increased by 5% over the same period.
A new study suggests that requiring manufacturers to sell nitrogen fertilizers with efficient compounds could reduce air and water pollution from nitrogen use by 16 percent. This approach could earn farmers millions of dollars through higher crop yields and reduce total costs of nitrogen pollution up to $5-7 billion.
A new study finds that regular physical activity improves lung function in current smokers, regardless of air pollution levels. The study, led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health, analyzed data from over 4,500 people and found that physical activity benefits even in areas with high air pollution.
A recent study explores the feasibility of measuring atmospheric pollutants in China using geostationatory satellites. The research recommends suitable sensor parameters for improved retrieval sensitivity and reduced errors, paving the way for more accurate monitoring and control of air pollution.
A 130-year-old brain coral's skeleton provided evidence that the North Atlantic Ocean has significantly less nitrogen pollution than previously estimated. The study found no signs of increased human-made nitrogen emissions, suggesting U.S. pollution control measures are effective in limiting ocean impact.
Racial and ethnic minorities in the US are disproportionately exposed to industrial air pollution, but face lower employment rates. The study found that strict environmental regulations may not necessarily harm employment opportunities.
The observatory will collaborate with the Center for Climate, Health and the Global Environment at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health to study the impact of pollution on children's health, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and brain function in children. The Observatory aims to mobilize society to see pollution as a serious threat...
New research finds tiny particles of carbon in placentas, suggesting air pollution can affect foetal development. The study reveals that sooty particles from the mother's lungs can reach the placenta via the bloodstream.
USC research reveals that air pollution alters thyroid development in fetuses, increasing the risk of health impacts later in life. Thyroid hormone levels were found to increase with exposure to particulate matter, highlighting a potential link between air pollution and fetal growth and metabolism.
Researchers analyzed Tipuana tree rings and bark to measure environmental pollution levels, finding reduced levels of cadmium, copper, nickel, and lead over the past three decades. The study suggests a correlation with declining gasoline emissions in Brazil.
Studies have found that roadside dust contains traffic-related abrasion particles, including tire wear and brake pad debris, which can pose health risks to humans and wildlife. Researchers are warning that climate change may exacerbate this problem, leading to increased pollution and potential harm to ecosystems.
A new study found that children carrying the ε4 variant of the APOE gene may experience adverse effects from traffic-related air pollution, including higher behaviour problem scores and slower attention capacity. The findings suggest that this genetic variant could exacerbate air pollution's impact on neurodevelopment.
A study found that air pollution exposure was associated with decreased cognitive test scores, particularly in verbal abilities. Reducing fine particulate matter concentrations could lead to significant improvements in cognitive performance, equivalent to a shift from median to 63rd percentile scores.
Researchers found that a specific type of fish louse, Argulus japonicus, can accumulate high concentrations of metals, potentially serving as an early warning system for water quality. The lice's unique mechanisms for protecting themselves from toxins may hold the key to detecting metal pollution.
A new study found that air pollution shortens human lives by over a year globally, with better air quality potentially extending lifespans. The researchers analyzed data from 185 countries and quantified the national impact of PM2.5 air pollution on life expectancy.
A study published in European Heart Journal reveals that air pollution is a significant contributor to cardiovascular diseases, with particulate matter playing a key role. The review article highlights the importance of reducing emissions from traffic, industry, and agriculture to mitigate the negative effects on vascular function.
Research highlights that babies in prams are exposed to up to 60% more pollution than their parents, posing potential risks to frontal lobe development and cognitive abilities. The study suggests innovative technological solutions, community activism, and exposure-centric policies as key to improving air quality for children.
A study by University of California, Berkeley economists found that air pollution emissions from US manufacturing fell by 60% between 1990 and 2008 due to stricter environmental regulations. The researchers analyzed data on over 1,400 products and found that changes in production technologies were the primary driver of these decreases.
Researchers found that even low levels of air pollution can cause significant changes in the structure of the heart, similar to those seen in early stages of heart failure. The study, which included over 4,000 participants, linked higher exposures to pollutants like PM2.5 and NO2 to larger ventricles and more pronounced remodelling.
A new study reveals that clothing, furniture, and other non-food products are significant contributors to ocean and freshwater pollution. The researchers used a modeling tool to calculate country-specific 'eutrophication footprints', which show that the EU's non-food consumption primarily generates pollution in other regions.
A new study by the University of Washington shows that winter air pollution levels in the eastern US have remained high due to complex chemical processes, rather than reduced emissions. The study highlights the need for further emissions reductions to improve wintertime air quality.
Recent studies suggest a potential relationship between air pollution and infertility, menstrual irregularity, uterine fibroids, and endometriosis. Researchers emphasize the need for further exploration of these findings to support policy guidelines on air pollution and human health.
A review of Asian transport microenvironments found pedestrians exposed to up to 1.6 times higher fine particle levels than in European cities, while car drivers face nine times more pollution. The study highlights a significant gap in research on rural and semi-rural city exposure to air pollution.
RIT will continue to lead the New York State Pollution Prevention Institute (NYSP2I) after a five-year award from the DEC. Since 2008, NYSP2I has made significant economic, environmental and social impacts across the state, including operational cost savings, assistance projects, and research initiatives.
A new study finds that air pollution contributes significantly to diabetes worldwide, with even low levels posing a health risk. The researchers estimated that pollution contributed to 3.2 million new diabetes cases globally in 2016, representing about 14% of all new cases.
A new study published in Epidemiology found no association between exposure to air pollution and increased risk of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in children aged 3-10 years. The study included data from nearly 30,000 children across seven European countries.
Regions with sharp declines in flying insects also experience high levels of light pollution, suggesting a link between artificial light and insect population declines. Light pollution can disrupt natural behavior, cause genetic exchange limitations, and impact ecosystem services like pollination.
A new international study, led by Queen Mary University of London, will monitor the lung health of over 3,000 primary school children in polluted areas for four years. The CHILL study aims to determine if policies improving air quality can improve lung growth and reduce respiratory symptoms in children.
A large-scale study found that tree fungi communities are stressed by pollution across 20 European countries. The study revealed thresholds of essential nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus beyond which the community of mycorrhizal fungi changes.
A new study by Lund University suggests that removing exhaust fumes from a smaller European city could prevent 55-93 premature deaths and reduce cases of childhood asthma, bronchitis, and dementia. The study found that even below EU air pollution levels, negative health effects exist.
Researchers uncovered a continuous record of past anthropogenic lead pollution in the Balkans, dating back to the Bronze Age. The study suggests that the region played a key role in European mining and metallurgy, with lead pollution levels increasing steadily from the Iron Age to the 17th century
Researchers analyzed precisely dated measurements of lead pollution in Greenland ice cores to uncover links between estimated lead emissions and historical events. The study found that lead pollution increased during periods of prosperity, such as the Phoenician expansion, and peaked under the Roman Empire.
Exposure to high levels of air pollution during pregnancy is associated with elevated systolic blood pressure in childhood. The study analyzed data from 1,293 mothers and their children, finding that those exposed to higher levels of fine particulate matter had a 61% increased risk of elevated blood pressure.
A Cedars-Sinai study found that prolonged air pollution exposure in the Los Angeles Basin triggers inflammation and cancer-related gene expression in rat brains, particularly due to nickel content. The research highlights the need for reducing ambient air pollution levels.
A new study published in the European Respiratory Journal found that long-term exposure to high levels of road traffic and ozone significantly increases the risk of asthma symptoms and medication use. The study also identified a biological marker, 8-isoprostane, which is exhaled in the breath and linked to tissue damage in the lungs.
Research from Harvard University shows that agricultural fires in Punjab, India can increase air pollution in Delhi by 20 times the safe limit. The study used satellite data and modeling to track the impact of smoke particles on urban areas.
A new study suggests that air pollution from traffic-related emissions is a significant contributor to childhood asthma cases in Bradford, with up to 24% of annual cases potentially attributed to this factor. The research highlights the need for policies aimed at reducing traffic-related air pollution to mitigate its effects on childre...
Research found Blacks have higher exposures to fine particulate matter air pollutants, associated with elevated blood glucose and cardiovascular events. The study suggests that environmental pollution may partially explain racial disparities in heart disease risk and death.
A new study has linked air pollution exposure during fetal life with brain abnormalities, including a thinner cortex, which may contribute to impaired cognitive function in school-age children. Exposure to fine particles was associated with difficulties in inhibitory control, related to mental health problems such as addiction and ADHD.
A study found exposure to fine particles during fetal life may cause permanent brain damage and contribute to impaired cognitive function in school-age children. Brain abnormalities, including a thinner outer layer of the brain cortex, were linked to difficulty with inhibitory control and related mental health problems.
A new study published in The Lancet Planetary Health finds that implementing the Paris Climate Agreement could lead to significant health savings due to reduced air pollution-related disease and death. Estimated costs range from 0.5-1% global GDP, while potential health benefits could be as high as 2.5 times greater than these costs.
Researchers found a significant association between rapid increases in air pollution and cardiovascular risk, even in clean air cities. Nitric oxide increases of over 20 μg/m3 within 24 hours doubled the risk of heart attack.